[Khun Pansa~~ have you landed?]
[Yes, madam. Plane just touched down.]
[I was worried about you! Couldn’t concentrate in my meetings either.]
[Awww, my poor Nong Love~
Will I see you tonight?]
[Yes. You better not forget about it.]
***
Beep beep beep beep beep.
The electronic door lock beeped as the passwords were keyed in.
Sugus perked up from his bed, ears twitching as he sensed a familiar
presence outside. "Meoww~" he purred lovingly. Jaguar,
Lion and Panther sprinted to the front door, eager to greet their guest.
Hearing the door open, Love quickly made the final touch to her
"masterpiece" before rushing to wash her hands. She barely dried them
off before dashing to the entrance, excitement bubbling inside her.
The door flung open, revealing Milk—chaotically dragging her 20-inch cabin
bag while juggling multiple paper bags in the other hand. The four cats
immediately swarmed her, rubbing against her legs and meowing in delight.
"Phiiiii!!!" Love squealed in her baby voice.
Milk stood in the doorway, arms spread wide, her signature goofy smile
lighting up her face. The cats continued their chorus of meows, demanding her
attention.
"Nong Love!! I’m
back~!"
Without a second thought, Love dove herself into Milk’s arms, burying her
face in the warmth of her embrace. Milk didn’t hesitate, wrapping her up
tightly—as if she hasn’t seen her in a while.
"Oh my, I've missed you so much," Milk mumbled,
snuggling into the smaller girl.
Love nodded silently in her embrace, too lost in the warmth and the familiar
scent of Milk to say a word.
"Are you making dinner?" Milk blurted out
suddenly.
Love looked up, eyes sparkling with warmth. "Are you
hungry?"
"Yes, and tired too," Milk sighed. "But
now, I feel slightly recharged." She flashed a sweet smile, her
eyes locking onto Love’s boba-like gaze.
"Good, because I made you something." Love gently
cupped Milk’s face, her voice soft. "Close your eyes for me."
Milk was about to comply but suddenly glanced down at the eager little
creatures swarming around her legs.
"Okay, but before that, I need to serve these guys first,"
she said, eyeing the cats with fondness.
Love chuckled as Milk crouched down, instantly showering Sugus, Jaguar,
Panther, and Lion with attention. The cats meowed louder, purring as they
rubbed against her hands, demanding more affection.
"Did you all miss me too?" Milk cooed in a baby
voice, scratching their chins one by one. "I missed you all
too."
The four cats bundled together on the floor like a tangled ball of rugs,
contended with Milk’s return.
Still kneeling, Milk glanced up at Love. "Did you make what I’m
thinking?" she asked, hands still busy petting the cats.
Love smirked. "You’ll see. Now, close your eyes for me."
Obediently, Milk stood up and shut her eyes. Love reached for her waist,
guiding her carefully toward the dining area.
"You can open your eyes now."
Milk opened her eyes and gasped at the spread before her—a plate of somtam
(Thai papaya salad), fried basil chicken, boiled eggs, and a steaming bowl of
hot soup.
"I thought you might be craving Thai food, so I made these.
Full of protein and fiber."
"Awww, Nong
Love!" Milk squealed in happiness, her heart swelling with warmth
and contentment. Unable to contain her joy, she pulled Love into another
embrace. "Thank you so much."
Love giggled shyly at the sudden affection, cheeks flushing ever so
slightly.
"Come, let’s eat. You must be hungry," Love said,
pulling Milk toward the dining table. Like a true gentlewoman, she made sure
Milk settled into her seat first before taking her own.
"You arrived just in time. Everything is freshly made."
"I know I’m the lucky one," Milk said with a wide
smile, her eyes almost disappearing into crescent moons. She reached for Love’s
hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," she
mouthed softly.
Milk eagerly picked up a piece of basil chicken, took the first bite, and
immediately widened her eyes in amazement. Love watched, her grin growing at
Milk’s reaction.
"How is it?" Love asked, leaning in slightly.
Milk swallowed and declared with excitement, "One word—Aroi
makkk!"
Love crossed her arms, a proud look on her face. "Hmph, of
course! It’s made by Khun Pattranite, with love."
Milk chuckled, reaching out to gently pinch Love’s chin. "So
much love for me, huh?" she teased.
They slowly enjoyed the simple but heartwarming meal. As they ate, Milk
shared details about her solo project in South Korea, recounting every moment
without missing a beat. Love listened attentively, even though she already knew
some of it—Milk had been updating her in bits and pieces throughout the trip.
When Milk finally finished sharing, Love gazed at her with admiration. "I’m
so proud of you, Pansa."
Milk felt her heart melt at the sincerity in Love’s voice. "I
wouldn’t have achieved it without you,
Nong Love."
Love giggled, shaking her head. "Of course, but let’s be
real—your beauty and charm are too irresistible. No wonder the sponsors chose
you."
Milk simply smiled. She couldn’t deny Love’s words. They had truly come a
long way since their debut years ago. The industry had thrown them countless
challenges—internal management issue, competition from fellow artists—but
through it all, they had stood strong. Staying true to themselves, working
tirelessly, and building genuine connections with their fans had led brands and
audiences alike to recognize their worth.
Suddenly, Milk gasped. "Oh my! Look at me—before I forget, I
have something for you!"
She stood up and hurried to her cabin bag, unzipping it in a rush as she dug
through its contents.
Love watched her with an amused smile. Milk always brought her souvenirs
whenever she traveled without her—whether it was a keychain, a plushie, or
something special that reminded her of a shared moment. There was always
something from Milk.
"Aha! Found it." Milk handed Love a paper bag.
Love immediately peeked inside.
"It’s a salted bun that I had it in Seoul, and it was so good
that I had to go back to the shop before my flight just to get some for you. I
even double-checked with them to make sure I could bring it back to
Thailand!"
Love’s eyes widened with excitement. As a food lover, she could never resist
a good treat—especially one chosen by Milk.
"Phii Milkkkk!" Love squealed in delight. "Thank
you! I think I have the perfect drink to pair with this."
Milk smirked knowingly. "Matcha latte?"
Love looked up, grinning. "Yes! And yours with oat milk, of
course."
***
“Nong Love, can you pass me my towel and pajamas? I forgot to
bring them in.” Milk’s voice echoed from the
bathroom.
Without a second thought, Love ran
to the bedroom and reached for it—not from a guest drawer, but from her
wardrobe. When had they started sharing a closet? Love couldn’t quite remember.
In fact, she couldn’t pinpoint exactly when their lives had intertwined so
naturally, when Milk’s things had seamlessly blended into her space. It had
just… happened. And somehow, it felt right.
During the filming of 23.5, Milk started hanging out at Love’s
place occasionally to practice scripts together. Over time, sleepovers became
more frequent—especially during their fan meet tours—so they could rehearse
their performances together. Eventually, it became second nature for Milk to
drop by unannounced, especially after Love gave her the password to her smart
lock.
Milk, being the thoughtful person she was, would sometimes restock Love’s
favorite snacks in her pantry or leave her favorite desserts on the dining
table—without telling in advance. It all felt so natural that Love never saw it
as an intrusion to her personal space. Instead, it made her place feel even more
like home.
Then, Milk started staying over so often that she left extra clothes in
Love’s wardrobe. Love even cleared out a space just for her. She couldn’t help
but smile whenever she did laundry and found Milk’s clothes mixed in with hers.
She would fold them neatly and place them exactly where they belonged.
Love never overanalyzed the situation—she simply went with the flow. Their
schedules were always packed with events: sponsorships, photoshoots, fan meets,
and endorsements. On top of that, she had to juggle between her TwentyWendy
business.
Then, things shifted when they planned their South Korea trip. Originally,
it was supposed to be a group of four, but at the last minute, the other two
couldn’t make it. That left just the two of them. Rather than cancel, they
decided to go ahead, knowing they both needed the break before the year’s end.
During the trip, Love noticed a side of Milk she had never seen before. They
had traveled abroad together countless times for work, but there were always
others around—P’Johm, the makeup artist, stylists. This time, it was just them,
with no work obligations or schedules to follow. Milk was patient, attentive,
and, as always, effortlessly funny.
To save on costs, they shared a room, but there was no awkwardness between
them. Conversation flowed endlessly, and every day was filled with laughter.
Their plans revolved around one of their favorite pastimes—figuring out what
and where to eat. Despite their slightly different eating habits, they always
found a middle ground they both enjoyed.
Though younger, Love naturally took on the role of leader—perhaps because
she was the eldest child in her family. Milk, who was always easygoing when it
came to Love, simply went along with whatever scenic or tourist spots Love
chose. In a way, Love became her personal tour guide.
And then, there was Milk’s dorky side—something was always happening to her.
Whether it was bumping her leg on something, accidentally walking into the
wrong shop, or just getting herself into the most random situations, every
single day brought a new reason for Love to laugh.
But beyond her playful clumsiness, Milk was incredibly dependable. Whenever
things didn’t go as planned—whether they took the wrong direction, got off at
the wrong station, or arrived at a shop only to find it closed—she never
complained or placed blame. Instead, she would simply shrug it off, laugh, and
suggest a new plan. Her ability to stay positive and adapt to any situation
made Love feel at ease, as if no matter what happened, everything would always
be okay as long as Milk was there.
After the trip, Love realized just how much Milk meant to her. Milk wasn’t
just a colleague or an older sister figure—she was something more. But what
exactly that more was, Love wasn’t sure. She could only cherish every
moment she had with her.
She also didn’t know how Milk felt about her. Milk had always been the type
to get along with everyone—her dorky personality made people naturally
gravitate toward her. Compared to Love, she was far more outgoing, effortlessly
friendly with staff and colleagues alike. A true extrovert, Milk could mingle
with anyone.
That’s why Love hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she held a special place in
Milk’s heart—or if she was just another friend in Milk’s ever-growing circle.
And here they were again—Milk staying over at Love’s place, fresh off her
solo work in South Korea. Their schedules were packed for the coming weeks,
filled with personal commitments, solo projects, and the upcoming Whalestorexoxo
drama filming. Milk had said she wanted to practice the script with Love before
the filming, but for Love, it was enough just to have Milk around. Milk had
also left Sugus in Love’s care for the past three days, making the apartment
feel even more like their shared space.
After dinner and a warm shower, Milk blow-dried her hair in Love’s bedroom
while Love took her turn to shower. Moving through the apartment with ease,
Milk picked up a cat toy, idly entertaining Jaguar while flipping through TV
channels.
Moments later, Love emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying her damp hair.
“Did Sugus behave?” Milk asked,
still waving the teaser wand at Jaguar. Her eyes flickered toward Sugus, who
was curled up in a corner, lazily grooming himself. “Did you give Love Mummy any trouble?”
Love chuckled, glancing at the cats. “Jaguar
and Sugus got along pretty well. At least they didn’t bully Lion and Panther.”
“Lucky for Lion and Panther, then,”
Milk chirped. She knew Sugus had a mischievous streak—just like his mummy. He
was lucky he had a cute face to make up for his antics.
Love then stepped into the bedroom, and without a word, Milk casually
followed, switching off the TV behind her. She slipped into bed effortlessly,
as if it was her own, while Love continued drying her hair. There was no need
for words—just quiet understanding, an unspoken familiarity.
After Milk settled onto the bed, Jaguar gracefully hopped onto her side,
purring contentedly. Without thinking, Milk ran her fingers through his sleek
fur, the rhythmic sound of his contentment blending with the hum of the hair
dryer. It was a simple moment — no words, no grand gestures — just the gentle
weight of a cat beside her and the unspoken comfort of being in Love’s space, a
place that felt more and more like home.
Seeing the scene, Love paused the hair dryer,
the sudden silence making the soft purrs even more audible. She leaned against
the dresser, a tender smile playing at her lips. “Jaguar really loves lying down with you..” she said softly, as if
not wanting to break the moment.
Milk chuckled, scratching Jaguar under his chin.
“Of course, I’m his Milk mummy,” she
replied, her voice playful but warm.
Love’s
smile deepened, her heart swelling at the ease in Milk’s words — as though Jaguar
wasn’t just her cat anymore, but theirs.
“Do you want a mask?” Love asked suddenly.
“Oh, yeah. I need one,” Milk
mumbled.
Love set down the dryer, peeling open a face mask packet. “This is the one you gave me from Japan.”
“Thank you, nong Love,”
Milk murmured, carefully placing the mask over her face before pulling the
blanket up to her shoulder.
“Wow… these days felt like a weeks’
work crammed into 3 days,” Milk murmured, sinking deeper into the pillows.
Her voice was laced with fatigue, her words trailing off as her body finally
gave in to the exhaustion. The weight of travel, work, and endless schedules
pressed down on her, but here, in the warmth of Love’s home, she could finally
let go.
Love smiled softly. At least for today, Milk could finally rest.
Minutes later, despite the hum of the hairdryer, Milk had already drifted
off, making small, tired snores. That was how exhausted she was.
Once her hair was dry, Love glanced at the clock—it was almost 11 p.m. She
turned to Milk, who was already fast asleep, her face mask slightly peeling at
the edges. Love reached over gently, removing it for her.
Carefully, she lifted the sleeping Jaguar beside Milk and placed him on the
small bed by the bedside floor, where he curled up comfortably. Then, Love
quietly slipped under the blanket, careful not to wake Milk.
She turned her head slightly, watching the peaceful rise and fall of Milk’s
breathing. A fond smile formed on her lips.
“Good night, Khun Pansa,”
she whispered softly before closing her eyes, letting sleep take her away.
***
Milk stirred slightly and woke up.
She glanced at the clock on the bedside table—7 a.m. Still too early for a
non-work day, especially for Love.
Turning her head, she found Love
still fast asleep, her face bathed in the soft morning sunlight filtering
through the window. The golden glow made her look even more beautiful—like an
angel. But there was a slight furrow on her forehead. It was subtle, but Milk saw it. She always noticed the small
things when it came to Love.
“Having a bad dream?”
Milk whispered.
Reaching out, she gently caressed
Love’s head with her left hand. “I’m
here, Love,” she murmured. With her other hand still under the blanket, she
searched for Love’s fingers and intertwined them with her own.
Almost instinctively, Love’s
forehead relaxed, the tension melting away. Milk smiled in quiet satisfaction.
If only she could wake up to this
sight more often.
She didn’t know what they were—or what label could define them. Their
relationship had always lived in that delicate space between friendship and
something more, a quiet, unspoken connection neither dared to name. The staff
often teased them about being a real couple, and each time, they would blush,
laugh it off, and exchange those fleeting glances—filled with something unsaid.
They had never sat down to talk about it. Never
defined the late-night calls, the way Milk’s clothes gradually found a
permanent spot in Love’s wardrobe, or the ease with which they fit into each
other's lives. But did they need to?
Because Milk knew one thing—she loved what they
were now. The way they instinctively leaned on each other, how Love quietly
remembered the smallest details about her, and how they found comfort not in
grand moments but in the quiet, ordinary ones. Preparing breakfast together,
feeding the cats, or simply existing side by side—it all felt so natural, so
right.
Fans adored their chemistry, that effortless
push and pull between them. But it wasn’t just for show. With Love, things
always just fell into place—like puzzle pieces clicking together, unspoken yet
deeply understood.
And deep down, Milk knew this was more than
friendship. She didn’t need to hear it out loud—she could feel it, in the way
Love looked at her when she thought Milk wasn’t watching, or in the soft
goodnights whispered into the quiet.
Breaking herself away from the
thought, Milk quietly slipped out of bed and got herself ready for the day.
After washing up, she picked up the yoga mat from the living room, unrolling it
with a soft thud against the floor. The gentle rhythm of her morning routine—stretch,
hold, breathe—filled the quiet space, a familiar way to clear her mind.
Twenty minutes in, the faint sound
of rustling sheets caught her attention. She looked up to see Love standing in
the doorway of the bedroom, her hair slightly messy, eyes still heavy with
sleep.
“Did you sleep well?”
Love's voice was soft, husky from just waking up.
***
Milk unpacked her cabin bag, carefully arranging the gifts she had brought
for Love—Korean face masks, exclusive items from her 3CE sponsorship, and a few
cat toys from Daiso. She placed each item exactly where it belonged, as if she
had been doing this for years. Because, in a way, she had.
Meanwhile, Love busied herself in the kitchen, preparing breakfast—salted
bread paired with matcha. The scent of freshly brewed matcha filled the air.
“Phiii, breakfast is ready,” Love
called out endearingly.
Milk set her bags aside and made her way to the dining table, greeted by the
sight of two beautifully crafted matcha lattes. Love then placed a small bowl
on the table, where three perfectly deshelled boiled eggs rested.
“And here’s your protein,” Love
chirped. She knew how important protein was for Milk and never forgot to
include it in her meals. In fact, she had even taken the time to learn how to
make the perfect boiled eggs online. Spending so much time together, their
habits and preferences had started to rub off on each other. Now, Love also
made a conscious effort to eat more lean protein to maintain her health and
physique.
Milk smiled, the warmth spreading through her chest like sunlight breaking
through a clouded sky. “Thank you, nong Love.” she murmured, her voice
soft but full of meaning. To have someone who understood her so effortlessly,
who seemed to know her better than she knew herself—it was a gift, one she knew
she couldn’t take for granted.
“Let me take a picture,” Love
said softly, already adjusting the composition of her shot. She carefully
omitted the eggs, knowing that their eagle-eyed fans would notice even the
smallest details. “Don’t worry, I won’t
tell who it’s from,” she added with a smirk.
Milk simply watched her, a quiet contentment settling over her. Mornings
like this were the best.
Love took a bite of the salted bread and her face immediately lit up. “This is so delicious!”
“Right? I knew you’d love it the
moment I had it.”
Love then took a sip of her matcha latte, eyes widening even more. “Phiii, this pairs so well with the bread.
We need to buy more the next time we visit South Korea.”
Milk chuckled as she watched Love savor the food she had brought, her face
lighting up with each bite. Meanwhile, she absentmindedly flipped through the
script pages in front of her while enjoying the perfect boiled eggs.
They had just received the few episodes’ worth of script, and she was
already hooked. Having read the original novel, Milk was eager to see how the
screenwriter would adapt the intimate moments between Wan and Maewnam for the
drama. As her eyes skimmed over one intimate scene, a small smile tugged at her
lips, anticipation stirring in her chest.
"Are you reading that
part?" Love emphasized, her tone teasing.
Milk chuckled, already knowing exactly which scene Love was referring to. "Yeah," she admitted,
flipping the page. "Just thinking
about it makes me blush already."
Love leaned in slightly, her dark boba eyes locking onto Milk’s. "Khun
Wan, don’t forget to bring some chewing gum that day," she said,
pausing for effect. "You know I
like the strawberry-flavored ones."
Milk’s blush deepened, the tips of her ears turning noticeably red. She
cleared her throat, trying to play it cool. "Yes, Khun Maewnam, I’ll
put that on my to-do list," she muttered shyly, her voice just above a
whisper, deliberately avoiding Love’s knowing gaze.
Not wanting to tease Milk further, Love simply smiled to herself and turned
her attention back to her breakfast. The warm matcha latte and salted bread
suddenly seemed far more interesting than the soft pink creeping up Milk’s
neck.
She
let the silence settle between them, giving Milk the space to gather herself —
to wrestle down the blush burning on her cheeks. It was a small mercy, but one
Love granted with a quiet fondness, her heart still fluttering at the sight of
a flustered Milk.
“P’ Johm is coming to your place at
two, right?” Love said, her eyes
glancing toward the wall clock.
Milk, still slightly pink, nodded. “Yeah…
he’s picking me up for the fitting.”
Love gave a small nod, her gaze lingering on her
matcha latte. “I’ll drop you off after
this then.”
A comfortable silence fell again. Milk fiddled
with the corner of the script resting on the table, her mind half on the
fitting later, half still stuck on the way Love had looked at her moments ago —
soft, amused, and something else she couldn’t quite name.
Love,
meanwhile, kept stealing small glances at Milk, biting back a smile every time
she noticed the lingering blush on her face. The clock ticked on, but neither
of them seemed in a rush to move — as though this moment, this quiet morning
together, was something worth savoring just a little longer.
Milk sighed softly, her fingers absentmindedly stroking Sugus, who had
settled by the dining chair beside her. "You
always make it hard to leave, you know that?" she murmured, though it
wasn't clear whether she was talking to the cat or someone else entirely.
Love, still sipping her matcha, tilted her head
with a small smile. "I’m just a
text away, and Sugus can drop by anytime, you know that."
Sugus let out a soft meow, as if to punctuate
Love's words.
“Are you already reluctant to leave
before we even get home?” Milk cooed gently at Sugus, fingers gently
scratching under his chin.
Sugus purred in response, rubbing his face against Milk’s hand as if in
agreement.
***
Love pulled up near Milk’s apartment guardhouse, slowing the car to a gentle
stop. The familiar quiet between them felt comfortable, yet the air carried an
unspoken hesitation—like neither wanted to part just yet.
Milk turned to Love, eyes soft. “So,
I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Love nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. “Yeah. And good luck with the shoot today. Pansa su su na!”
Her voice was bright, full of encouragement.
Milk exhaled, as if absorbing the warmth of Love’s words. “Thanks…” she murmured, her lips
curling into a small, grateful smile. “Enjoy
the SkyNani concert tonight. Send my regards to the others.”
“I will,” Love said. “And I’ll pass
them the Korean snacks you brought. They’ll love them.”
Milk laughed lightly. “As always,
you’re the best.” Her voice softened as she reached out, pinching Love’s
nose in a teasing yet familiar gesture.
Love scrunched her nose in response, making Milk’s lips curve into a grin.
For a moment, they just looked at each other, the silence between them
stretched—soft, but heavy with something unsaid.
Milk sighed softly, her fingers lingering on the
door handle, reluctant to break the moment. “Alright, I should go.”
Love simply nodded, her gaze deep and
unreadable, but warm. She turned to the back seat, her voice gentle as she
waved at Sugus in his carrier. “Goodbye,
Sugus.”
Milk
stepped out of the car, reaching back to gather her luggage and Sugus, the
weight of their quiet connection still lingering in the air. Before closing the
door, she leaned in slightly, her voice almost a whisper. “Drive safe, okay?”
“I will,” Love promised with smile.
With one last glance, Milk closed the door and walked toward her apartment building.
Love watched until she disappeared inside, before letting out a breath she
hadn’t realized she was holding. Then, with a small, knowing smile, she drove
off into the street.
